TotalEnergies seeks to support uptake of ammonia in shipping
French oil and gas supermajor TotalEnergies has joined other industry stakeholders in the Castor Initiative to spur uptake of green ammonia and advance development of ammonia-powered tankers.
PHOTO: Bio-VLSFO stem supplied by TotalEnergies to the CMA CGM MONTOIR in Singapore. TotalEnergies
The recent announcement demonstrates TotalEnergies' growing interest in other alternative shipping fuels like ammonia. The company also has big stakes in LNG, biofuels and conventional marine fuels.
In terms of decarbonisation potential, LNG-fuelled vessels emit about 75% of the CO2 as oil-based marine fuels. Methane slip remains a key concern as uncombusted methane has about 28 times higher global warming potential than CO2 over a 100-year period.
TotalEnergies has said LNG and biofuel will contribute to reduce shipping emissions in the medium term, while ammonia and hydrogen will play greater roles in cutting emissions beyond that. It has predicted that ammonia, hydrogen and biogas will only account for 10% of the global energy mix by 2050.
The company is now one in eight partners in the Castor Initiative. Other partners include the Port Authority of Singapore and the German engine manufacturer MAN Engine Solutions. Their goal is to bring in global expertise and study the ecosystem required for ammonia-fuelled tankers to operate sustainable and safely.
In April, the Castor Initiative partners agreed to build two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) that can run on green ammonia. The vessels are expected to be delivered between 2025-2026 and will present an opportunity for ship crew to get experience in operating ammonia vessels.
By Nithin Chandran
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